IZOD to start Indy promotion but driver ridelessUPDATE New York-based Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. will roll out its new Izod/Indy race-inspired clothing collection in Macy’s stores nationwide in April. The launch will be accompanied by a national multi-million dollar advertising campaign as well as an Indianapolis 500 sweepstakes. Izod is the official apparel of the Indy Racing League, Firestone Indy Lights and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Problem is, the poster boy for the campaign, IRL driver Ryan Hunter-Reay is not confirmed for the series yet. Hunter-Reay lost his ride when his former sponsor, an American consortium of ethanol producers, pulled out of the series after last season.

HVM Racing recently announced Hunter-Reay will do some testing for the team, but a deal to give him a full-time ride is still being negotiated. Lack of sponsorship for Hunter-Reay is still a problem. A Phillips-Van Heusen official said it would be a “significant problem” if Hunter-Reay is not on the track this year, but still, Izod is fronting little to no money to sponsor his car.

Meanwhile, PVH honchos are readying the green flag for their campaign.

“The [IRL] is an ideal fit with the sport-spirited Izod brand lifestyle,” said Allen Sirkin, president and chief operating officer of PVH. Macy’s is providing a platform to highlight the partnership between Izod and the IRL, Sirkin added.

An Izod/Indy themed 30-second spot will run during all nationally televised ABC and Versus IRL race broadcasts, as well as in movie theaters nationwide. The media plan also includes print advertisements to appear in Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine, and high-profile billboards in New York City’s Times Square and in Toronto. All advertisements feature the 2008 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, Hunter-Reay.

Promotional activities for the Izod/Indy sportswear collection include a Web-based national sweepstakes to be hosted exclusively on macys.com from April 4 to May 8. The grand prize is a package for four to the 2009 Indianapolis 500, which includes a police escort to and from the track, all-access pit and garage passes, pace car rides, access to the pre-race driver’s meeting, Festival Parade tickets, hotel accommodations and air travel.

This year begins a “Centennial Era” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a three-year celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the Speedway in 2009 and the Indianapolis 500 in 2011. Izod designers have taken 100 years of Speedway and Indy 500 artwork and designed vintage look-and-feel short sleeve polo shirts and tees to commemorate the heritage of Indy racing. In addition, a track and race-inspired collection of solid cotton piques feature official logos and special centennial insignias for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indianapolis 500.

Throughout this IRL season, in-store promotional events will take place at select Macy’s stores nationwide beginning with the season opener next month in St. Petersburg, Fla. These events include meet-and-greet autograph sessions with IRL drivers and legends of the Indianapolis 500, as well as an Izod/Indy race car showcase. Events will be held in markets such as Los Angeles; Kansas City, Kan.; Indianapolis; Dallas; Richmond, Va.; Columbus, Ohio; New York; San Francisco; Chicago and Miami.

“The IZOD-Macy’s partnership and promotional plan is easily one of the biggest we have seen outside of our endemic space and will transcend the sport,” said Terry Angstadt, president of the IRL’s commercial division.

Under its July 2008 sponsorship agreement, PVH also provides exclusive apparel to IRL and IMS executives and crew—from pit officials and track flagmen to the on-air broadcast talent and track announcers. IBJ.com

Ryan Hunter-Reay has IZOD backing but no ride yet

03/25/09 Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation (PVH) will roll out its new IZOD/INDY race-inspired clothing collection in Macy’s stores nationwide next month, but their driver, Ryan Hunter Reay remains rideless. The launch will be accompanied by a national advertising campaign as well as an Indianapolis 500 sweepstakes. IZOD is the official apparel of the IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“We are thrilled to be launching a clothing line that celebrates and brings to life 100 years of Indyracing in America,” said Allen Sirkin, president and chief operating officer of PVH. “The IndyCar Series is an ideal fit with the sport-spirited IZOD brand lifestyle. We are also excited to partner with Macy’s, which is providing a platform to highlight the partnership between these two iconic American brands and to celebrate 100 years of Indy racing through both product and the display of museum archives.”

PVH also will launch a national advertising campaign. The IZOD/INDY themed 30-second spot will run during all nationally televised ABC and VERSUS IndyCar Series race broadcasts, as well as in movie theaters across the country. The media plan also includes print advertisements to appear in Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine, and high-profile billboards in New York City’s Times Square and in Toronto. The advertisements feature IZOD-sponsored 2008 Watkins Glen winner and 2008 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Promotional activities for the IZOD/INDY sportswear collection include a web-based national sweepstakes to be hosted exclusively on macys.com from April 4 to May 8. The grand prize is an all-inclusive package for four to the 2009 Indianapolis 500, which includes a police escort to and from the track, VIP all access pit and garage passes, pace car rides, access to the pre-race driver’s meeting, Festival Parade tickets, hotel accommodations and air travel.

2009 begins a “Centennial Era” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a three-year celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the Speedway in 2009 and the Indianapolis 500 in 2011. The IZOD design team has taken 100 years of Speedway and Indy 500 artwork and designed distressed, vintage look-and-feel short sleeve polo shirts and tees that reflect and celebrate the uniquely American heritage of Indy racing. In addition, a track and race-inspired collection of solid cotton piques feature official logos and special centennial insignias for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indianapolis 500.

"We are excited by the product and believe it adds a new dimension to the Izod sportswear selling floor,” said Marc Mastronardi, Macy’s group vice president of men’s sportswear. “This partnership provides a platform to distribute and market differentiated merchandise on a national basis, while catering to a growing Indy fan base at a local level."

Throughout the 2009 IndyCar Series season, in-store events will take place at select Macy’s stores around the country to further support the launch of the IZOD/INDY sportswear line beginning with the first race of the season in St. Petersburg Fla. These events include meet-and-greet autograph sessions with IndyCar Series drivers and legends of the Indianapolis 500, as well as an IZOD/INDY race car showcase, two-seater race car rides, and the official IndyCar Series Fan Zone. Events will be held in markets such as Los Angeles, Kansas City, Kan., Indianapolis, Dallas, Richmond, Va., Columbus, Ohio, New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Miami.

“We couldn’t be happier with IZOD and the enthusiasm they have shown towards the IndyCar Series,” said Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division for the Indy Racing League. “The IZOD-Macy’s partnership and promotional plan is easily one of the biggest we have seen outside of our endemic space and will transcend the sport. A race-inspired clothing line around the series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Centennial Era is fantastic for our fans and the sport.”

Under its July 2008 sponsorship agreement, PVH also provides exclusive apparel to Indy Racing League and IMS executives and crew – from pit officials and track flagmen to the on-air broadcast talent and track announcers. This collection is inspired by the uniquely American heritage of IndyCar racing and designed to address the performance needs of Indy Racing League and IMS staff.

Copyright 1999-2017 | AutoRacing1 is an
independent internet online publication and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed
by IndyCar, NASCAR, FIA, Sprint, or any other series sponsor.
This material may not be published, broadcast, or redistributed without
permission.